New Main Street Alliance Video: Foxes Guarding the Hen House

The Main Street Alliance has a great new video highlighting the dominating role insurance companies are playing in state health insurance policy.   “Foxes Guarding the Hen House”  is part of MSA’s ongoing campaign to ensure that the health insurance exchanges that are created in each state work for small businesses.  

Affiliate Highlight: The Montana Organizing Project

Alliance for a Just Society affiliate The Montana Organizing Project (MOP) is a collaboration of diverse community, civic, labor, faith groups, and community members.  Located in Missoula and Billings, MOP works on economic, racial and social justice issues, with the mission of promoting the dignity and empowerment of people with low and middle incomes whoContinue reading “Affiliate Highlight: The Montana Organizing Project”

Health Care 2011: Year in Review

The election in November of 2010 shifted the political ground both in D.C. and in many state legislatures. These political changes brought efforts to repeal the ACA and to reduce the national commitment both to Medicaid and to critical programs funded as a part of reform. The efforts by the political right to reset theContinue reading “Health Care 2011: Year in Review”

Small Business Owners Bring Main Street Voices to Washington, DC

On October 20, an all-star team of small business leaders from across the Main Street Alliance network made the trek to Washington, DC to represent the voice of Main Street small businesses in the nation’s capital. Business owners came from Montana, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington to participate in meetings on Capitol Hill.Continue reading “Small Business Owners Bring Main Street Voices to Washington, DC”

Will the Affordable Care Act Help Eliminate Disparities?

Many provisions of the Affordable Care Act are designed to overcome health outcome disparities caused by social factors associated with race, ethnicity, language, and culture. Will they work?

The Distasteful Politics of Food

How, what, and where we eat everyday is strongly influenced by the federal government, in partnership with major food corporations, through a piece of legislation called the Farm Bill. Many of the social determinates of health that impact our communities find their roots in the Farm Bill a massive piece of legislation up for renewalContinue reading “The Distasteful Politics of Food”

Retta Green: “Medicaid truly is a Lifesaver”

This past weekend, organizers from the Alliance for a Just Society joined over 50 members of the Idaho Community Action Network at their annual meeting in Boise, Idaho. People traveled from all over the state to develop their 2012 issue agenda. They strategized around a number of issues including payday lending, immigrant rights, and foreclosures.Continue reading “Retta Green: “Medicaid truly is a Lifesaver””

Left in the Dark

Today, members of the Health Rights Organizing Project called on the federal government to prevent health insurance companies from denying health care to people who speak limited English. Under the new health reform law, patients have the right to appeal insurance companies’ health care denials. Insurers are supposed to inform patients of these rights, includingContinue reading “Left in the Dark”

Rate Review Victory for Consumers, Small Businesses

New rules for health insurance rate increases took effect on September 1st. By giving consumers access to more information about why insurers are raising their rates – and whether experts deem the increases reasonable – the new rules aim to put downward pressure on health insurance premiums.

New State Health Insurance Exchange Rules Must Be Strengthened

Earlier this summer, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a preliminary set of regulations that instruct states in the development of their new health insurance marketplaces, also called exchanges. These rules govern all aspects of how the exchanges are run and are a key mechanism for reigning in health insurance company profiteering.Continue reading “New State Health Insurance Exchange Rules Must Be Strengthened”